BTW:Pre-A.D. BCE [This a mix of tradition and anti-tradition: A.D. = anno Domini; BCE = before the common era (a term to lessen Christianity's importance). The correct answer would be B.C., not allowed in Xwords.]

Neither gennaio nor ENERO works for me even though I'm partial to Italian.

RATING: Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun